Question 1

I would like to book a nanny or sitter. What is the process?

Accepted Answer

Booking is as easy as 1-2-3!
 
Submit the Form: Complete and submit the form below to request an appointment.
Confirmation: We will send you an email to confirm the details of your appointment.
Nanny Introduction: Your nanny will call you to introduce herself and will arrive at your door at the scheduled time.
 
Important Information:
 
After Hours Requests: The only way to request an appointment after hours is by completing this booking form. While our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, our Administrative Team monitors reservation requests for urgent needs. After-hours bookings that require immediate attention will be addressed as soon as possible. All other reservations will be handled when our office reopens.
 
Review Policies and Rates: Please take the time to read the information about our rates, child-to-caregiver ratio, and our policies on our website before completing this form.
 
Rates can be found here.
FAQs and Policies can be found here.

Charges and Cancellations: While the deposit placed when you make your reservation is non-refundable, no further fees are charged to the credit card on file when at least 72 hours' notice is provided for non-holiday appointments. For appointments scheduled during holiday dates, 7 days' notice is required. Cancellations without the required notice will result in full payment for the appointment being charged to the credit card on file.
 
Contact Information:

Email: Staff@HiltonHeadNannies.com
Phone: (843) 227-3196

America's Best Nannies is a sister company of Hilton Head Nannies. We share an office and staff with Hilton Head Nannies, inclusive of a phone line.

Question 2

Do I need advance reservations?

Accepted Answer

Advance reservations are highly recommended as our services are often booked well in advance. To ensure a spot on our schedule, please make your reservation as early as possible. However, we do have a number of caregivers on call, and while we cannot guarantee last-minute availability, we strive to accommodate urgent requests. In many cases, we can have a caregiver with you in as little as four hours. If you find yourself in need of last-minute childcare, please give us a call.

Contact Information:
 
Email: Staff@HiltonHeadNannies.com
Phone: (843) 227-3196
We share a phone line and office staff with our sister company, Hilton Head Nannies

Question 3

How far in advance can I book a reservation?

Accepted Answer

We accept in-room childcare reservations up to 12 months in advance.

Question 4

If we book multiple appointments, can we have the same nanny each time?

Accepted Answer

Whenever possible, we strive to schedule the same caregiver for multiple appointments. However, we can only guarantee this if we receive at least 60 days' notice. Due to the dynamic nature of our caregivers' schedules, there may be unforeseen circumstances such as family emergencies, illness, or exposure to illness that require rescheduling. While these situations are beyond our control, we will always do our best to accommodate your request.

Question 5

What is your child to caregiver ratio?

Accepted Answer

The following are our guidelines for child-to-caregiver ratios:

Newborns to 1-year-olds: 2 children to 1 caregiver
2-year-olds to 4-year-olds: 3 children to 1 caregiver
5-year-olds to 7-year-olds: 4 children to 1 caregiver
8-year-olds and up: 5-7 children to 1 caregiver

Our primary goal is to ensure your children's safety. We reserve the right to adjust these guidelines when necessary for their well-being.

Question 6

What is your screening process?

Accepted Answer

At America's Best Nannies & Hilton Head Nannies, children are the priority in everything we do. Their physical and emotional safety is the driving force behind every decision we make. To ensure the highest quality care, all caregivers must take a written skills assessment and have a high score, provide nine references, demonstrate a strong history of working with children, participate in two interviews, undergo a thorough background check by a professional background check company, and pass a sex offender registry check. We have one of the most intense vetting processes in the industry.

Question 7

What backgrounds do your nannies and sitters have?

Accepted Answer

Our caregivers come from diverse backgrounds, including students, mothers, grandmothers, teachers, nurses, retired professionals, and career professionals, all united by a genuine love for children. Each caregiver has a strong background in caregiving, ensuring they provide the highest quality of care.

Question 8

How are you different from other services?

Accepted Answer

America’s Best Nannies is built on the proven success of Hilton Head Nannies, a trusted name in luxury childcare since 2007. Our founder, Jennie, launched Hilton Head Nannies after decades of experience as a professional career nanny and parent coach. What began as a local agency in South Carolina quickly earned a reputation for excellence and heartfelt service—something we now bring to families across the country through America’s Best Nannies.

We’re not just another nanny referral service. Our team brings more than 28 years of combined experience in the nanny industry, a deep understanding of family dynamics, and a commitment to exceptional care. With our national expansion, we remain true to our founding values: putting families first, supporting our nannies, and being a true blessing to those we serve—now from coast to coast.

Question 9

How old are your nannies & sitters?

Accepted Answer

While most of our nannies are over the age of 22, all of our nannies are at least 18 years old and are mature, energetic professionals. We find that many of the nannies we approve are in their thirties or older due to their experience, dependability and maturity levels.

Question 10

How do your nannies & sitters entertain the children?

Accepted Answer

Our caregivers are dedicated to keeping children engaged and active! They come prepared with a "Nanny Bag" filled with toys, books, games, arts and crafts, and more. Additionally, they make full use of the wonderful amenities available at many hotels and resorts, such as cornhole, table tennis, swimming, sandcastle building, beach walks, and scavenger hunts. Some caregivers are also comfortable riding bikes with the children if bicycles are available or swimming if there is a pool on the property.

Question 11

Are your nannies and sitters CPR & First Aid Certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes! All of our nannies are required to be certified in Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, in addition to having Basic First Aid Training.

Question 12

Is it okay for us to use a nanny camera while your caregiver is with our kids?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Our caregivers have signed a contract granting permission for all clients to use a nanny camera, whether or not they inform the caregiver.  We believe in using every available tool to ensure the safety of children. Properly used as a preventative measure, nanny cameras are just another way we prioritize the well-being of children and families.

Question 13

Where will your caregivers provide care?

Accepted Answer

The nanny will come directly to your home, villa, vacation rental, or resort/hotel room to provide care.

Question 14

Do your caregivers take part in any other training?

Accepted Answer

Yes! To secure a spot on our registry, all of our nannies must participate in periodic training required by our agency. In the spring of 2024, we hosted the "Sandcastle Conference," where nannies received training on various topics, including Professionalism, Understanding Autism, Safeguarding Children/Child Abuse Prevention, Getting Kids Moving: Activities to Expend Energy, and Encouraging Literacy through Planned Activities.

This year, so that the training is available to Registered Nannies nationwide, we are taking the conference virtual in June.

Question 15

How do I identify my caregiver?

Accepted Answer

Our professional caregivers are instructed to have their driver's license ready to show you. Please compare their ID with the name provided in your confirmation email. You will also have an opportunity to speak with your caregiver and become familiar with prior to arrival.

Question 16

Required Agency Paperwork

Accepted Answer

Required Forms

We can also send any of these forms or electronic signature in advance if needed—just let us know.

Childcare Release Form:

All parents are required to sign a childcare release form before the caregiver is left with your child. Only parents or legal guardians are permitted to sign this form. If multiple families are involved, a parent for each child must be present to sign before the appointment.

Nanny Service Invoice:

All clients must sign our Nanny Service Invoice at the conclusion of the appointment. To ensure the security of your payment, and at the instruction of our credit card processor, we require all clients to present their driver’s license for verification. This step is necessary because we do not see your physical credit card during the reservation process.

Additional Forms (If Applicable)

Swim Release Form:

Clients who wish for their caregiver to take the children swimming must first sign a swim release form.

Authorization to Release a Child Form:

Clients who wish for their caregiver to release the child/children to another adult must sign a form granting permission. We will only release children to adults (age 18 and over) and will require the individual(s) to show a photo ID. For the safety of the children in our care, no exceptions are made to this policy, even if the individual is staying in the same home or hotel room as the client.

Authorization to Administer Medication Form:

Clients who wish for their caregiver to administer any medication (prescription, over-the-counter, or vitamins/supplements) must complete this form.

No Care Provided Form:

If there are children present for whom the caregiver we refer is not responsible, the parents must sign a No Care Provided Form. Additionally, no child under the age of 15 may be present without an adult or older teen overseeing their care.

Question 17

What ages do your nannies typically care for?

Accepted Answer

We provide care for newborns through children aged 14. Additionally, we offer support for children and adults with special needs, as well as senior adults who do not require medical care.

Question 18

Will I be able to contact my nanny when she is caring for my children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will! All nannies are required to have working cell phones with them at all times. They can be reached via cell phone if they are outside playing, or via the room/condo/home number if cell phone reception is poor inside.

Since reception in some areas can be spotty, we recommend providing your caregiver with the Wi-Fi password so she can communicate with you via text message.

Question 19

Will I be able to speak with my nanny prior to the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You will receive an email from our office with the name of your nanny. Our nanny will call you no later than 24-48 hours before your appointment to introduce themselves and learn more about your children. If the appointment is made on short notice, the nanny will call you as soon as possible before the appointment.

Question 20

What happens if I have an existing appointment and need to get in touch with the agency after hours?

Accepted Answer

If you need to reach the agency after hours regarding an existing appointment, you can contact the owner, Jennie, directly. Her private cell phone number is provided at the time of the appointment and is also listed at the bottom of your email confirmation. Please use that number to reach out to Jennie for assistance.

Question 21

Can we have a specific nanny be "on-call" for our family during specific hours on a specific day?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! However, the nanny must be paid for those hours even if her services are not utilized as she is unable to accept work with other clients or make personal plans. We are happy to work with you to ensure flexible scheduling for your family so that your vacation is everything you desire it to be.

Question 22

Could we arrange a meet and greet with our nanny prior to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Your nanny will call you to introduce herself to your family. During this call, you'll have the opportunity to get to know the nanny, tell her about your family, and ask any questions. Some families prefer to have this introductory call via FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet which can also be arranged.

Due to the high number of families our nannies serve through our In-Room Vacation Nanny Service, the traffic delays during beach season, and the complexities involved in scheduling, we are unable to offer in-person meetings prior to the appointment. Families who strongly desire an introductory meeting may request to book the nanny for an additional appointment, with all standard appointment policies applying.

Question 23

What if we are staying in a home with other families and only want care for our children?

Accepted Answer

We understand that multiple families may be staying in the same home, and one family may want to hire us to provide care exclusively for their children. We can absolutely accommodate this, ensuring that your children receive our undivided attention.

If there are children present for whom the caregiver we refer to you is not responsible, the parents must sign a No Care Provided Form. Additionally, no child under the age of 15 may be present without an adult or older teen overseeing their care.

Question 24

What are your rates?

Accepted Answer

Individual Family In-Room (Vacation) Rates 
$35 per hour, 1-2 children (Siblings Only)
$40 per hour, 3-4 children (Siblings Only)
$45 per hour, 5-6 children (Siblings Only)
$50 per hour, 7-8 children (Siblings Only)
$28.00 Booking Fee Per Appointment 
4.5% Check-Out Fee (Agency Portion Only)

Please note: Our child-to-caregiver ratios can be found here.
 
4 hour minimum per appointment (This is strictly enforced)
*No Membership Fees * No Mileage Fees for Local Areas
*Nannies bring their own meals
A nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of booking

Multiple Family Rates
We offer a discount for families who combine their children and are using one nanny.  For each additional family, there is a fee of $10 per hour.  No additional booking fees are charged.

Additional Fees

Gate Fees: Client will be billed for any gate entry fees charged by resorts or communities.

Parking: Client will be billed for any parking fees.

Valet Parking: If self-parking is not available, the sitter will valet park and the fee will be charged to the client, including gratuities

Sick Children:  Three times the hourly rate, but must be approved in advance (Please see sick child policies)

Early Start: +$5/hour when booking an appointment that begins between the hours of 12 am to 7 am

Late End: +$5/hour when booking an appointment that ends after midnight.

Last Minute: +$25 when booking an appointment with 4 hours' notice or less.

After Hours Convenience Fee: +$50 when booking an appointment that requires staff working after hours to set up your appointment

Time Adjustment/Rescheduling: +$25 when tweaking either the start time or end time within 72 hours of the reservation. (No charge with more than 72 hours' notice)

Rescheduling Fee: +$25 when rescheduling an appointment within 7 days of the original appointment (No charge with more than 7 days' notice)

Standard Holidays
+$5/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Valentine's Dates: Thursday February 8th - Sunday February 18th
St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Thursday March 14th -Sunday March 17th
Mother's Day: Sunday May 12th
Memorial Day Break: Thursday May 23rd - Sunday June 2nd
Father's Day: Sunday June 16th
4th of July Break: Thursday June 27th- Sunday July 7th
Labor Day Break: Thursday August 29th - Sunday September 8th
Halloween: Thursday October 31st

Premium Holidays:
+$10/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Easter Break: Thursday March 28th - Sunday March 31st
Heritage Week: Thursday April 11th - Sunday April 21st
Thanksgiving Break: Friday November 21st - Sunday December 1st
(Excluding Thanksgiving Day)
Christmas Break: Friday December 13th- Monday December 30th
(Excluding Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)

Special Holidays & Rates:
$75/hour (one family), $50 Booking Fee
+$20/hour each additional family
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve

Please note that a 20% gratuity is added to the total on the following Holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day,  Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day.

A 20% gratuity is also automatically added to the total for any appointments that begin before 6 am, ends after 1 am, or are 10+ hours long.

Question 25

Deposit and Payment

Accepted Answer

Nonrefundable Deposit

To book your appointment, we require a non-refundable deposit of one-third of the estimated balance, plus the booking fee. Please note that our non-refundable deposit policy is strictly enforced.

Balance Due at Appointment

The remaining two-thirds of the balance is due to the caregiver in cash at the end of the appointment. Some nannies also accept cash apps such as Apple Pay, Venmo and Zelle; please confirm this during the introductory call.

Important Payment Information

It is required that you pay your nanny the remaining balance in cash at the end of your appointment. If the nanny is not paid, we can process the payment using your credit card on file as an additional service to you. There is a $25 per appointment service charge, plus a 4.5% checkout fee, to process your payment via our payroll service, write a check to the caregiver on your behalf, and mail it to her.

Question 26

Booking Appointments

Accepted Answer

When booking an appointment online, you authorize us to secure the appointment and charge the deposit to the credit card provided at the time of booking. If you need to change the date or time of your appointment(s) and provide verbal authorization over the phone, the same non-refundable deposit policy and all agency policies apply.

Please note that any appointments booked via telephone are also subject to these policies.

Question 27

Booking Again

Accepted Answer

Our caregiver would love to work with your family again! If you'd like to book another appointment, please call our office to schedule it. Per their contract, caregivers are not permitted to accept appointments directly. If a client attempts to book directly with the caregiver, our office will charge the appropriate fees.

Question 28

What if I need to adjust the start or end time of my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Nonrefundable Deposit:

Please note that once you book an appointment, the deposit is nonrefundable. If you shorten the appointment, you will not receive a refund for the deposit.

Shortening Appointments:

If you need to shorten the duration of an appointment, the nanny is not required to be paid for the full appointment, provided 72 hours' notice is given during standard weeks and 7 days' notice during holiday/special rate weeks. If the required notice is not met, the nanny must be paid in full for the scheduled appointment. This policy ensures stability for our career nannies, who rely on their schedules and commitments. It is essential to maintain this policy to keep nannies available for our clients. We expect nannies to honor their commitments, and clients are equally responsible for honoring theirs.

Time Adjustments:

If you need to adjust the start or end time of your appointment, please inform us. We will make every effort to accommodate time adjustments, provided the scheduled nanny has availability. Time adjustments made with more than 72 hours' notice are done as a courtesy. There is a $25 charge for changing the start or end time within 72 hours of the reservation.

Rescheduling Fee:

We are happy to reschedule appointments when our schedule can accommodate the change. When more than 7 days' notice is provided, we will make this change as a courtesy. There is a $25 charge for rescheduling an appointment within 7 days of the original reservation. If the change is last-minute, after hours, or on a weekend, additional fees will apply according to our rate and fee schedule.

Question 29

Shortening Appointments, Changes to # of Children, Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

Accepted Answer

Nonrefundable Deposit:

Please note that once you book an appointment, the deposit is nonrefundable. If you shorten the appointment, you will not receive a refund for the deposit.

Policy on Changes to Number of Children/Families

We understand that plans can change. However, to ensure fair compensation for our nannies and smooth operations, the following policy applies to any adjustments in the number of children or families booked for care:
Notice Requirement: If you need to reduce the number of children or families originally scheduled for care, you must provide us with at least 72 hours' notice prior to the scheduled appointment. During holiday dates, 7 days' notice is required.
Payment Obligation: In the event that notice is not provided within the specified timeframe, the nanny must be compensated for the originally scheduled number of children or families.

Shortening Appointments:

If you need to shorten the duration of an appointment, the nanny is not required to be paid for the full appointment, provided 72 hours' notice is given during standard weeks and 7 days' notice during holiday/special rate weeks. If the required notice is not met, the nanny must be paid in full for the scheduled appointment. This policy ensures stability for our career nannies, who rely on their schedules and commitments. It is essential to maintain this policy to keep nannies available for our clients. We expect nannies to honor their commitments, and clients are equally responsible for honoring theirs.

Time Adjustments:

If you need to tweak the start or end time of your appointment, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate the change, provided the scheduled nanny has availability. If more than 72 hours' notice is given, time adjustments are done as a courtesy. There is a $25 charge for changing the start or end time within 72 hours of the reservation.

Rescheduling Appointments:

We understand that plans can change while on vacation. If you need to reschedule, we are happy to do so at no additional cost when given more than 7 days' notice and if our schedule can accommodate the change of schedule. If less than 7 days' notice is provided, and we have availability, there is a $25 per appointment charge for rescheduling.

Cancelling Appointments:

Deposits are nonrefundable. Cancellations with at least 72 hours' notice (non-holiday) or 7 days' notice (holiday) will incur no further charges. Late cancellations will require full payment directly to the nanny. Clients should reach out to their nanny directly to arrange payment. If you do not pay the nanny, the agency will charge the amount due to your nanny on your credit card. Please note, to pay the nanny via your credit card, there is a $25 convenience fee in addition to the 4.5% checkout fee and we will pay the nanny on your behalf per our policy.

Note:

If more than 72 hours' notice is given for non-holiday dates, we encourage our clients to discuss rescheduling options rather than cancelling appointments. Rescheduling (prior to cancellation) is not guaranteed until we confirm your request.

Whenever possible, we will do our best to reschedule your appointment. As a courtesy, and only when 72 hours' notice has been provided, when we are able to reschedule, we will apply your original deposit toward your new appointment. However, this courtesy cannot be extended after an appointment is cancelled.

Question 30

Re-Booking Cancelled Appointments

Accepted Answer

If you book an appointment and then cancel it, the nonrefundable deposit is non-transferable. If you change your mind and later want to rebook that appointment, it will be considered a new appointment requiring a new reservation deposit. This is due to the amount of work involved in cancelling the appointment initially. 
 
We encourage clients to inform us at the time of cancellation if you would like to transfer the appointment. Transfers are a courtesy, available when more than 72 hours' notice is provided and depend on availability, but we will do our best to accommodate them. If an appointment is transferred with more than 72 hours' notice, we will apply the original deposit to the new appointment with no additional charges.

Question 31

Credit Card Security

Accepted Answer

Because we do not physically see your credit card, our credit card processor requires you to show your driver's license to the caregiver during the appointment. The nanny will record information from your driver's license onto the Nanny Service Invoice, which she submits to the office. This process secures the deposit charged to your credit card. Please ensure the name on the driver's license matches the name on the reservation and the credit card.

Question 32

Releasing Children

Accepted Answer

For the security of your children, our caregivers are not permitted to release a child to anyone other than the parent or legal guardian unless advance arrangements are made with the office and the appropriate forms are signed.

Question 33

2025 Holidays for Vacation Nanny Appointments

Accepted Answer

To ensure our nannies are available to serve you on holidays weeks and special occasions, our rates are higher rates during the following dates:

Standard Holidays
+$5/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Valentine's Dates: Thursday February 13th- Sunday February 16th
St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Thursday March 13th -Monday March 17th
Mother's Day Weekend: Saturday May 10th - Sunday May 11th
Memorial Day Break: Friday May 23rd- Saturday May 31st
Father's Day: Saturday June 14th - Sunday June 15th
4th of July Break: Friday June 27th- Sunday July 6th
Labor Day Break: Friday August 29th- Monday September 1st
Halloween: Friday October 31st

Premium Holidays:
+$10/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Easter: Thursday April 10th - Sunday April 20th
Thanksgiving Break: Friday November 21st- Sunday November 30th 
  (Excluding Thanksgiving Day)
Christmas Break: Thursday December 18th- Tuesday December 30th 
(Excluding Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
New Year's Day 2026: Thursday January 1st

Special Holidays & Rates:
$75/hour (one family), $50 Booking Fee
+$20/hour each additional family
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve

Please note that a 20% gratuity is added to the total on the following Holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day,  Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day

Question 34

Gratuity

Accepted Answer

We are often asked by clients whether gratuity is expected and what the appropriate amount should be. If you are happy with the service you received, your caregiver would greatly appreciate any gratuity. The recommended amount is the standard 15-20%.

Please note that a 20% gratuity is automatically added to the total on the following holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter Week, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, and New Year's Break.

A 20% gratuity is also automatically added to the total for any appointments that begin before 6 am, end after 1 am, or are 10+ hours long.

Question 35

Sick Care/Illness Policy

Accepted Answer

To prevent carrying illness from one client’s family to another, and to protect our caregivers, we must strictly enforce Our Sick Care/Illness Policy.
 
If anyone in your group (child or adult) is showing signs of illness, please call the agency immediately and inform us so that we can determine if it is appropriate to send the caregiver.

These signs include, but may not be limited to, the following: 
 
·         Unusual Behavior: Your child does not feel well enough to participate in usual activities and exhibits signs of extreme fatigue, unexplained irritability, or persistent crying. 
·         Fever: We consider any temperature that is elevated to 100 F degrees or higher to be a fever. Your child must be fever-free for 48 hours without fever-reducing medications. No one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms.  
·         Coughing: Repetitive coughing (even when dry), wheezing (unless asthma – inhaler must be provided), rapid or difficulty breathing
·         Upper Respiratory Symptoms: Large amount of thick nasal discharge, persistent cough with or without sputum, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing through nose. Care may resume when child has been symptom free for 48 hours without symptom-reducing medications AND no one else in the family/group/household shows symptoms. 
·         Sore Throat: Tickling in throat, raw throat. If your child tests positive for Strep, he/she must have been on antibiotics for 5 days before care may resume, and no one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms. Additionally, our fever policy must be followed. We require 5 days because strep is very contagious and often takes time to move through a family/group/household. 
·         Pink Eye: Itchy, pink or red eyes with thick mucus or pus draining from the eye (red eyes from pool use excluded)
·         Diarrhea: Your child must be symptom free for 24 hours and our fever guidelines must be followed. No one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms.  
·         Vomiting: Your child must be symptom-free for 48 hours without symptom reducing medications for care to resume and our fever guidelines must be followed. No one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms.  
·         Covid-19 Symptoms: Your child must be fever-free for 72 hours without the help of fever-reducing medications, symptom free for 72 hours without the help of medications AND there should be no one else in your family/group/household showing symptoms AND at least 5 days must have passed since child tested positive/began showing symptoms. 
·         Rashes/Blisters: Unusual blisters, rashes or itchy bumps that cannot be attributed to mosquitos/sand gnats or sunburns.
·         Impetigo: Your child must have been on an antibiotic for 72 hours before care may resume. Further, any weeping rashes must be completely covered and taped on all sides. 
·         Head Lice: Before care may resume, treatment and removal of all lice and nits from hair, the home treated thoroughly, and a minimum of 7 days has passed with re-checks and no signs of lice or nits present in the child or any family/group/household members.

Illness Cancellation Policy:

Appointments may be cancelled up to 12 hours prior to the start time for illness and there will be no additional charges for the appointment (deposits/booking fees are nonrefundable). If less than 12 hours' notice is given, and we are unable to place the caregiver in another appointment slot, the client will be charged in full for the appointment via the credit card on file. Our office will pay the caregiver on your behalf.

When Illness is not disclosed to the agency:

If your caregiver arrives at your appointment and there is a sick child or adult present that was not disclosed to us prior to her arrival, the caregiver must call the agency immediately. The agency may decline care. When this occurs and the caregiver is exposed, the caregiver must be paid in full for the scheduled appointment at double the hourly rate (inclusive of holiday rates), plus a gratuity of 20%. The increased rate is due to her exposure and having to pull her off rotation so that she does not take illness to another family. This will be charged to your credit card on file.

Clients who dose their children with symptom-reducing medication to hide the illness from the caregiver or agency will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the above stated increased rates/gratuity and permanently banned from booking future appointments with the agency. Further, any future appointments already on the books will be cancelled with no refunds of the non-refundable deposit/booking fee.

Sick Care with Advance Notice:

For your convenience and at our discretion based on our schedule, if you desire care for your sick child/children, we may be able to provide care. Sick care rates and booking fees triple the standard fees (inclusive of holiday rates) plus 20% gratuity.  The extra cost makes up for some, but not all, of the lost income that results from a caregiver being pulled from our schedule.

We are unable to make exceptions to these policies. Thank you for being thoughtful of our caregivers and our other clients as we strive to be thoughtful of your family's health!

Question 36

Water Activities

Accepted Answer

Under most circumstances, our caregivers are comfortable getting in the pool with children. However, given the potential life-or-death nature of pool situations, we do not require our caregivers to do so if they feel uncomfortable for any reason (e.g., the children are not listening well, a child is out of sorts, or other people in the pool pose a risk). Therefore, we cannot guarantee that your children will get to go swimming. However, our caregivers love taking kids to the pool and have a few ground rules the children must follow. Parents must sign a swim release form for the agency prior to any swimming.

While our caregivers do not allow children in the ocean, they will happily let them play on the beach and dig in the sand.

Question 37

Travel

Accepted Answer

When traveling to an activity or restaurant with a caregiver, transportation must not be by private vehicle. Acceptable options include shuttle, chartered transportation, professional taxi, or resort transportation. We do not permit travel by Uber or similar services. If the caregiver is joining the whole family at an activity, she must drive her own vehicle and meet the family there.

Question 38

Bathing Children

Accepted Answer

Except in emergency situations (such as if a child gets sick), our caregivers do not bathe children.

Question 39

Getting Nannies into Gated Communities

Accepted Answer

Unless a client is a property owner in a gated community, nannies are usually required to purchase gate passes to obtain entry. Any associated costs will be passed on to the client. Please note that America's Best Nannies does not profit from gate fees.

Question 40

Parking & Transportation Fees

Accepted Answer

If self-parking is not available, the caregiver will valet park, and the fee, including gratuities, will be charged to the client.

Please note: When serving certain areas past sunset, nannies may need to utilize valet parking for safety reasons. The fee, including gratuities, will be charged to the client.

Additionally, any parking fees, including those for parking garages, will be charged to the client.

When applicable, gratuities for carts/shuttles used to reach a residence will also be charged to the client.

Question 41

What is your policy for named storms, such as Tropical Storms or Hurricanes?

Accepted Answer

The safety of our nannies and our guests is always our top priority.

Named-Storm Policy: While deposits are non-refundable, if cancellations are made for appointments occurring during the landfall of a named storm, we will offer an agency credit to be used within a 36-month (3-year) period. The 72-hour cancellation policy is also waived during this time, meaning that the client is not required to pay the nanny for cancellations that occur during the landfall. This policy does not cover appointments prior to the named storm landfall and only applies to the appointments during and after the named storm landfall if the area has not reopened for business.

America's Best Nannies

A Sister Company of Hilton Head Nannies

Frequently Asked Questions